The Moroccan government’s official spokesman, Mustafa al-Khalafi, has refused to reveal the reasons behind the sacking of the economy and finance minister, Mohamed Boussaid.
In remarks to reporters following a cabinet session on Thursday, Khalafi refused to name the acting economy minister.
“I have nothing to add to the royal statement,” he said after journalists asked him repeatedly to divulge information on Boussaid’s dismissal and the name of his successor.
The acting economy minister has been chosen and the decree of his appointment has been signed, said the spokesman, adding that the public will be informed once the decision is announced.
Khalafi denied that there had been differences on the name of the acting minister, saying the issue hadn’t been even discussed during the cabinet session.
Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Wednesday sacked Boussaid in accordance with the provisions of Article 47 of the Constitution and in consultation with Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani, the royal statement said.
The statement explained that the decision comes amid a drive to enforce the "principle of accountability that the king is anxious to apply to all officials, regardless of their rank.”
Media reports have said that Boussaid’s dismissal came after Morocco’s Supreme Audit Institution issued a report criticizing the lack of progress in development and limited job opportunities despite funds provided by the state to strategic sectors.
Othmani, meanwhile, said that several government sectors have been coming up with plans to achieve socio-economic objectives as called for King Mohammed VI.
The prime minister told the government that the king’s speech on Sunday underlined the importance of taking “urgent action" to address social issues, in addition to focusing on improving the economy and governance.
He said the government will provide the king with regular reports on the adopted mechanisms to implement the set objectives.
